On a quiet night, a black car stopped in front of a private entrance. The person who stepped out was the woman in the mask. She was dressed casually and wore her favorite mask constantly. She paid respect to the person inside the car, who was her boss (her superior). Her demeanor was playful, friendly, and normal when she was with her boss, which was entirely different from when she was with the School Principal or others.
"Take your mask off!"
Hearing this, she smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder, embracing his larg Muscle arm, like a happy rabbit enjoying thick grass. "I like it!" Her boss didn't say anything more, just told her to behave well when they arrived.
The car arrived at a location that was a golf course, but there was an additional entrance that no one seemed to visit or notice. When they entered, there were bamboo clusters lining the road. After a moment, they arrived at a large, long house with luxurious Khmer architecture. Many black cars had arrived earlier, meaning she was the last to arrive.
When she entered, she saw only men standing nearby and a long table where about 10 people were sitting, waiting for someone to fill the luxurious seat in the middle of the long, large table. Her boss sat down, and she stood like the other men, following their roles. Suddenly, The Big Boss arrived.
"Oh, I was busy with my child earlier! Everyone, please sit down."
After paying their respects to the Big Boss, everyone sat down. Nearby, there was a man in his late 20s. He was the youngest among the 10 senior members. He stared at the woman in the mask with an intense gaze.
The Big Boss spoke: "Today is just a day for celebration. Don't be so serious. Everyone, enjoy yourselves."
The dinner was quiet, celebrating the success of the "Hi" product market. Everyone celebrated. It was called "Hi," a small, cute can, but the stone (the content) was refreshing and highly potent. It was a new type of drug that made first-time users feel high, and it wasn't addictive at first; it gave them time to think. If they wanted to continue using it, they could find it. So, the second time, it would make them want to continue. It had high emotional and psychological capabilities. Whatever they thought of would be encouraged to be done well and satisfyingly. This dinner was also the anniversary of the "Hi" group, and everyone celebrated.
The Big Boss was wiping his hands with a fragrant cloth when he suddenly praised someone.
"Number 4 handled that rotten trash well!"
The person who had been staring at the woman in the mask was immediately startled and turned to look at the Big Boss, as he hadn't expected the Big Boss to know. He quickly stood up and apologized immediately. He hadn't informed him because he thought it was his mistake, and he wanted to handle it secretly himself. Everyone turned to look at Number 4, who was standing and bowing his head.
"It was nothing big. Why was it necessary to inform me? It's just rotten trash. Doing that was right; it was not wrong. In fact, you shouldn't have been the one to step in to handle it instead of the person who actually did it. Ah! Who dared to make Number 4 and Number 3's dog handle things instead?"
After speaking, he left, leaving the woman in the mask and Number 4 to apologize immediately and promise to find the person responsible.
When everyone was gone, that Number 4 was the person who had called to threaten the woman in the mask that he would discipline her one day. He immediately grabbed her neck and asked if she was satisfied. She didn't use force to fight back.
"Hey! Speaking so loudly, aren't you afraid the person who just left will hear?" "Were you the one who reported it?"
"Hmm!" She pulled his hand away from her neck. "You're usually so smart. Why are you so changed this time? Do you really think I dare to report to the Big Boss? Have you served the Big Boss for so long and still don't know? Next time, you should stop doing these childish things. See? It can escalate like this time. A goodwill gesture from Number 3's servant dog," she said with a smile.
"Oh, that's right! Usually, the Big Boss never cares about the mistakes everyone makes outside, and acts like he doesn't know. But this time, was it a coincidence or something else? I'm telling you this as your former person. That's right, stop bothering me. Who knows, I might even replace you, because the Big Boss's heart is unpredictable! There!"
She walked away after speaking, telling him to look at the person who was approaching.
"Sir! This is the money for your dog's family after he was removed." Number 4 called his subordinate to receive it. It was a killing in which that "dog" was involved with Pud.
The golf course was the property of the Big Boss's right-hand assistant. Today was an honor because the Big Boss was invited to his place. The members celebrated while the Big Boss was playing golf. He chatted playfully with them, then suddenly called out Number 3 (who was in his late 40s).
"I heard your dog is very smart!" Number . "Oh, not like that, Boss."
He chuckled and changed the subject, inviting Number 3 to play a round with him. After a moment, his phone rang. The assistant said it was his wife. He immediately took the call and didn't wait long, telling the members to continue while he left first.
That night passed, and a new day arrived. Khmer people were cleaning and decorating their homes for the upcoming New Year to bring prosperity and glory. The decorations included multicolored paper or cloth ribbons, tied back and forth according to the desired style. Small, twinkling string lights were hung in front of the house, leaving space to hang the indispensable traditional Khmer star lanterns.
These star lanterns are made of bamboo, wrapped with colored cloth or scarves for people who want luxury. Those with ordinary lives use glittering, multicolored plastic bags. Some people who don't have time buy them ready-made from the market. During this season, many people make and sell star lanterns, but in rural areas or those with time, they like to create memories and make the star lanterns themselves. After shaping them into a star, they leave an opening to place a light bulb inside. They also need to dry them in the sun briefly to make them rigid and beautiful, but they don't dry them for long.
Auntie ja's voice came from inside: "Kan! That's enough! Don't dry them in the sun for too long. Bring the lanterns back inside."
Kan collected the two or three star lanterns that she and Auntie ja had made. She complained that she didn't know how to put the light bulbs inside. Auntie Ja, who was decorating, laughed and told her not to worry; she would put them in. Suddenly, she slipped up and looked at the clock hurriedly.
"Oh my God! Your dad is probably arriving. Hurry and go fetch him at the train station! Go, go."
She came down and pushed Kan whose face was stoic, telling her to go and not to worry; she would take care of things here. Kan wondered: He usually comes alone and doesn't need anyone to fetch him. Why is it necessary to go today? Auntie ja knew what she was thinking, walked next to her, held her shoulder, chuckled slightly, and patted her head a little: "Hurry and go fast!" kan was completely stunned.
"I'm going!"
On the way, kan called and chatted with Hana, who had arrived in Phnom Penh a few days ago. She was celebrating the New Year there with her parents. It was a bit disappointing for kan, but Hana smiled and said it was fine, and told kan to enjoy herself with Siv Siv, and that she was also happy in Phnom Penh with her parents. They talked for a while and then said goodbye.
Kan was about to get on the bus when Auntie ja called and told her she had forgotten to buy a new Buddha statue when she went to the market last morning. She asked kan to buy one on the way home. Kan looked at her phone and sighed, watching the motorcycles and cars rush by, busy. She wondered what Than was doing.
The bus arrived at the stop, and she continued to a place which was Siv Siv's house.
Siv's Mother: "Hey! I Write down the paper (the shopping list) clearly, and don't forget anything," Siv's mother reminded her with high expectations. "Yes," she replied while sitting and tying her shoes.
Kan's voice rang out: "Siv Siv! Siv!" Immediately, she rushed out, not forgetting to tell her mother she was leaving. Kan opened the door, came in to greet and bid farewell to Siv Siv's mother briefly, showing good manners, and then they left.
"Let's go! Oh, we're going to the train station, right?" "Hmm!"
They had to take the bus again. Suddenly, it drove past a private school, which made Siv Siv look slightly dazed, and then she turned away. But kan's question made her seem embarrassed.
"Is that your boyfriend's school?" "Huh? Yes, that's it." "The school looks expensive. I wonder what Hana would do if she were with her boyfriend? Go out together? What's wrong, Siv?" "Huh? Nothing! Oh, we've arrived at the train station."
They arrived and stood waiting. After a moment, they sat on a bench. Not long after, the train arrived. A man was carrying luggage among the people coming and going.
"Dad?" she ran to him, which surprised him, as he don't know. Siv Siv politely greeted him. Kan introduced Siv Siv as her friend. Her dad was happy that his daughter had a friend. Seeing that they seemed to be planning to go somewhere else, he said there was no need to fetch him; he could go home himself, and they could continue their journey. Hearing this, kan smiled and immediately pulled Siv Siv along. Siv Siv turned to smile and say goodbye to Uncle.
The two of them went to the market to shop. Kan saw that Siv Siv had a whole list of items to buy. After learning that Siv Siv's mother had written the list, kan laughed hard, wondering who would let a young girl go shopping like this. It was kan's playful remark, which made Siv Siv smile affectionately at kan. Since she wasn't good at remembering things while shopping, she could only smile, but she remembered something.
"Hmm! I also brought a primary school child with me." Her eyes darted, making kan look at who was taller. It was one person's turn after another.
Kan realized while shopping with Siv Siv that she was truly bad at shopping; she didn't even know when people raised the price. "Hey, why don't you know how to ask for a discount?" Siv: "The sellers work hard, and the price is what it is."
She immediately shook her head. She took the list from Siv Siv and said she would do the buying. After seeing kan's shopping skills, Siv Siv saw kan as her guiding light, because in truth, she didn't dare to ask the sellers for discounts; she felt for the sellers and was afraid they would scold her.
They had a lot of items, so they helped each other carry them. The only thing left was the Buddha statue. They walked there. The Buddha statues were made of foam and shaped like Buddha for worship and display. Kan suddenly saw someone in the distance.
"Oh! Is that him?" Siv raised her eyebrow, puzzled. "Do you know someone?" kan pointed slightly at the person she knew. "It's him, the old Grandmother!"
Suddenly, the Grandmother walked towards where they were standing. Oh my! If I Pretending not to know her wouldn't be right; it would be rude. She walked over, but the Grandmother hadn't seen kan.
"Grandmother?" She smiled and slightly bowed her head. The Grandmother looked at her for a moment, making kan wonder in her heart, Doesn't she remember me? Good, then.
"Oh! You are Hav's Senior, aren't you?" Yes, I am Ree's Senior," she smiled slightly. "Grandmother, are you alone? Why are you carrying fruit yourself?" Then kan took it to help her carry it.
The Grandmother smiled and thanked her, about to say she came with Hav, but she was interrupted by Siv Siv. Since Siv Siv hadn't known her earlier, she greeted her politely. Kan introduced Siv Siv as her friend. Seeing that the Grandmother was also buying a Buddha statue, all three of them bought one.
Suddenly, Hav arrived, carrying some vegetables. His presence immediately made kan, who was friendly earlier, become emotionless.
"Grandmother! How dare you walk away from me immediately?" kan: "You bought things without caring for your Grandmother and then blame her?" she spoke sarcastically to him.
Siv Siv could only smile and flutter her eyes because she didn't know the story. The Grandmother asked Siv Siv if she knew they were always like this whenever they met. But she replied that she didn't know; it was the first time they met.
Hav took the Grandmother to the car and carried his own belongings. The Grandmother told kan and Siv Siv to get in the car too, and she would drive them home. "Grandmother!" Hav said, looking at the Grandmother with displeasure. But he didn't say anything more. The Grandmother ordered him to help carry kan and Siv Siv's belongings. His face was unpleasant. Seeing this made kab feel good because she enjoyed making him feel bad.
At kan's house, Auntie ja was hanging string lights above, trying to stand on a tall chair. Suddenly, kan's dad arrived and saw her. She turned to look immediately, but then turned back, acting normal. As she worked, she told him to put the luggage away, take a shower, and she would warm up the food again. They would wait for kan to come back to eat together.
Kan's dad looked at her and felt uneasy, blaming himself for making her struggle. Knowing his thoughts, Auntie ja told him not to worry. He hurried to put the luggage away. He looked uneasy, so he asked Auntie ja to come down and let him do it, but Auntie ja said it was fine and she was almost done! Suddenly, she strained herself too much, and the chair shook, making her fall, but a pair of hands immediately caught her. She had been screaming earlier, but now she smiled immediately because she saw that she had successfully hung up the light.
She quickly got up from vira's arms because she heard someone calling kan. The two of them turned to look. Auntie ja and Uncle vira didn't know him.
"Who are you?" Sun: "I'm kan's friend." Suddenly, he saw Uncle vira, which made him smile and eexclaim uncle I'm San !
He thought for a moment, then smiled happily. The three of them went inside. Uncle vira smiled and introduced: "This is San, kan's childhood friend. Wow, you grew up fast! And why did you come to Uncle's house?" "Oh, I have nothing to do. I didn't go to my hometown, so I went to help my friends decorate their houses. When I was done, I came here."
Uncle vira smiled and said, "Stay and eat dinner with us tonight." Sun didn't refuse.
Suddenly, a car sound rang out. They turned to look, and it was kan's voice calling. "Auntie ! I'm back."
She smiled and thanked the Grandmother. She was about to take her luggage, but the Grandmother ordered Hav to help carry it into the house. Hav was mentally frustrated but didn't say anything. Siv Siv saw the Grandmother and grandson like this, and she smiled because she was holding back her laughter.
Hav: "What are you smiling at?" This question made Siv turn away, trying to stop smiling. The Grandmother lightly slapped him a little bit, telling him not to scare Siv Siv like that. Kan pretended to complain about being tired and sore, so he had to help her carry the heavy things. She was very satisfied to be able to use the person she wanted to trouble.
Auntie ja came out and was surprised, but smiled and greeted the elderly Grandmother inside."Oh, I just dropped the children off. So, I'll be going now." Auntie ja : "Yes, thank you."
Kan was surprised to see san and smiled at him, but he didn't smile back. He immediately walked over and took the luggage from Hav, which made kan feel strange. Anyway, she said goodbye to the Grandmother again.
Siv Siv was also driven home by the Grandmother, who complained that her house was too far from the school, but she smiled and replied that it wasn't too far. Hearing the Grandmother praise her house for having green vegetables, she thanked her. When they arrived, the Grandmother asked Hav to help carry the luggage, but she refused, saying it was fine and she could do it herself. Seeing that she refused many times, the Grandmother understood. Suddenly, Siv's mother came out. She quickly thanked them and hurried out. Her mother also saw them and smiled and thanked them politely.
The Grandmother realized that Siv didn't want her mother to see that there was a boy with her helping her, which was why she refused. She thought about it and turned to her grandson, who was sleeping with his eyes closed. She shook her head in frustration. This boy truly doesn't understand girls at all.